Pennsylvania Game News - April 2009 - 6

wildlife was awakening and their sounds of foraging increased. We chose a location off the path, on an east facing downward slope. I snuggled into a slightly scooped out low spot at the base of a red oak tree that Tim had chosen for me while he positioned himself behind and to my left. This was the hard part, sitting very, very still. My every sense was wired and routing to memory everything new I was experiencing. My peripheral vision got a real workout as I forced my head to remain immobile. The cutest chipmunk scampered along a fallen log, almost touched my new left boot, and made me grin behind my facemask. I watched a box turtle laboriously trudge along, obviously on a mission. All the while, Tim clucked, putted and yelped behind me. The sounds made sweeter by the knowledge he was doing it for me. Just then, I heard a mirrored reply. The new voice kept getting closer and closer. I strained to see and struggled to be still. Suddenly there she was, bigger than I expected and coming straight for me. The hen turkey bobbed her head and twisted her neck north and south, repeatedly, as if only one eye worked at a time. However, I knew better. I held my breath as she came, right up to that little log, barely a foot away. She froze. Something did not seem right to her. Could the bird possibly be hearing the rising of my blood pressure and the singing of my soul? I sensed the alarm erupt in her body and ignite those instincts of selfpreservation. She putted once, sharply, while high stepping away to my right and security. I turned ever so slowly toward Tim, wanting to exclaim excitedly on what had just happened, but he whispered urgently, “Debbie, look left.” 6 NOVICE NOTES Self-help tips to eliminate the novice in you. • Join a local sportsmen’s club and the National Wild Turkey Federation. Attend the meetings, events and absorb the education. Ask questions about turkeys, hunting them, and partnering programs. • Shop the sporting goods stores, read the labels, and make the items familiar. Try clothing items on and move around in them, outside of that small dressing room, remembering the obstacles in the woods. Handle the firearms and purposefully ask the questions you have. • Shop online for hunting clothes for women. There are new manufacturers and existing companies that are listening to women hunters’ needs, offering larger assortments, and perfecting designs made specifically for women. • Read the turkey hunting articles and watch the television shows and videos. Approach this as you do other decisions in your life. Educate yourself, take steps toward your goal, refuse to be put off, and enjoy what you have accomplished! Coming over a rise, barely 40 yards away and headed straight for the decoys, were two old tom turkeys charmed by Tim’s sensual music. With tails fanned, chests expanded, beards swinging, proud and purposeful, the boys looked hard at the decoys, strutted back and forth, putting and sweet-talking cautiously in Tim’s direction, who remained in total silence. With my body twisted in the wrong direction, my gun poorly positioned and my heart in my throat, I could only watch. I will never forget the sight. The thrill of their presence could not be good for my health. This is heart attack stuff, not the strenuous activity, but the rush and excitement of the seeing and GAME NEWS

Pennsylvania Game News - April 2009

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